Discover Zocca

Zocca combines chestnut culture, historic villages and diverse trails in the Apennines to create a destination offering many different discoveries. In the center, you can visit the Chiesa parrocchiale del Sacro Cuore di Gesù with its magnificent Neo-Romanesque façade, as well as a viewpoint offering expansive panoramic views. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment can choose between local culture, regional specialties, village visits and active days in the countryside.

Chestnuts, Borlengo and regional traditions

The Museo del Castagno e del Borlengo was established on the ground floor of the former Ospitale di San Giacomo di Zocca. In three rooms, tools and old customs tell the story of the chestnut and the mountain culture associated with it. The Museo-Laboratorio del Borlengo also displays old Borlengo pans and objects from rural culture; a workshop also teaches visitors how Borlengo is prepared.

In Zocca, the cuisine can also be experienced in a hands-on way. The Museo del Castagno offers the Laboratorio della Crescentina e della Tigella on July 5, 2026, and September 27, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors learn how to prepare Crescentine, make a Tigella using the traditional earth mold, and taste the prepared products. The local chestnut culture also includes the Sagra della Castagna di Zocca, an event held on Sundays in October.

Trails through the forest and regional park

The protected Parco Regionale dei Sassi di Rocca Malatina covers 2,300 hectares between Guiglia, Marano sul Panaro and Zocca. Zocca has a dense network of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The trails lead through villages, to castle ruins and to notable churches, offering various options for planning your days.

The Itinerario 400/2 is a loop trail through the regional park area. On its northern side, it passes through a dense chestnut forest and offers expansive views of the Apennine ridge. The Percorso 370 is a loop trail that leads from Zocca via Zocchetta, Montombraro, Ponte Bignami, Santa Croce, San Giacomo and Via Mavore back to Zocca. There is also a hiking trail of approximately 48 kilometers from Casona di Marano to Monte Belvedere in Montese, at an elevation of 1,140 meters. These different formats help you choose between a loop tour, forest and panoramic routes, or a longer hike.

Another useful point of reference is the trail to the Sasso: an unpaved road leads toward the Sasso, from where an easy footpath reaches the summit in about five minutes. If you enjoy alternating short discoveries with longer routes, you can combine sections of these trails with the cultural sights in Zocca and the surrounding villages.

Historic places and sacred architecture

Montecorone has an especially beautiful medieval village layout. The stone buildings are characterized by sandstone portals and pointed-arch windows. Montecorone is also home to the 17th-century Oratorio di San Rocco. Rosola is a well-preserved village clustered around a 13th-century tower, a remnant of the former castle. The former castle complex has been converted into a public park.

Montetortore also adds its own historical character to a travel itinerary. The village has imposing ruins of a 12th-century castle and lies between the provinces of Modena and Bologna. The Santuario della Verucchia is mentioned as early as the 15th century; it contains a panel depicting the Madonna and Child. Visitors wishing to combine church art, medieval village settings and traces of former fortifications will find a varied cultural program here.

The right base for planning your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment in Zocca, it is worth deciding on your preferred focus for the holiday first. If you are mainly planning museum and village visits, chestnut culture, Borlengo, churches and historic village settings will be the main attractions. For active days, you can consider the Itinerario 400/2, the Percorso 370, the trail to the Sasso or the longer hiking trail to Monte Belvedere. This allows you to choose accommodation in Zocca according to your preferred mix of regional history, culinary experiences and physical activity, without having to limit your trip to just one type of activity.

For further travel planning, you can also find Vignola, Sestola, Montefiorino, Casa Marchetti, Cavezzo, Riolunato and Montese.

For the broader travel overview: Modena.